My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 815 Doge of Venice (Part )

"Scary? Is this the impression the big man gives you?"

Francesco couldn't help but asked in surprise when he heard Barcelona's description of the big man.

"Yes, the country of the Han Dynasty is really powerful and scary. Sometimes I even think that as their enemy, I am afraid I will only feel despair. I believe you have also heard, Mr. Governor, that the Timur Empire was defeated by the Han Dynasty. Defeated, this is just their army. In comparison, their navy is actually more powerful..."

As Basa spoke, he told in detail what he saw, heard, and thought about Dahan.

Francesco listened very carefully. What Barcelona learned involved many aspects of the Han Dynasty, including economy, people's livelihood, politics, and the most important military power.

Among them, Barcelona described the military power of the Han in the most detail, such as the tall and powerful warships of the Han. If the Han dug the canal in Egypt in the future and sailed the warships to the Mediterranean, Venice might not be able to resist them.

"In addition, Dahan also has a kind of ship that does not use sails. It is said that it is driven by something called a steam engine. It is extremely fast. It originally took a month to travel, but the steam ship only takes ten days to reach it. I went to Dahan first This is the first time I've been on a boat like this and I can't believe it can go so fast."

Finally, Barcelona highlighted the steamship, which was what shocked him the most.

"Steam ship? There is such a ship in this world!"

Francesco was also shocked after hearing this. As a country that made its fortune through ship trade, Venice paid more attention to the development of ships than any other country. They also had many fast sailing ships specially used to deliver messages, but they were far from being able to compete with the ship trade. Compared to steamships.

"Mr. Governor, in fact, from a rational analysis, it is a good thing for us that Miss Helen marries the prince of the Han Dynasty. Judging from the current situation, the power of the Han Dynasty will enter the Mediterranean sooner or later. If we can form an alliance with , we no longer have to worry about the threat of the Ottomans!"

Barcelona finally spoke to Francesco again.

"Allying with a country like Dahan?"

Francesco seemed very calm. He walked back and forth in the room several times with a frown on his face, and finally stopped suddenly, looked at Barcelona and asked.

"Even with Helen's relationship, if a country like Han Dynasty enters the Mediterranean, what if they, like the Ottomans, also want to annex us?"

"This one……"

The expression on Barcelona's face froze. He had actually considered this question, so he hesitated before answering.

"The governor's concerns are reasonable, but compared to the Ottomans who are right in front of us, the core of the Han Dynasty is far away from the Mediterranean. Even if they enter the Mediterranean in the future, they will not be able to annex all the forces. They will still need allies to cooperate, and we in Venice He is the most suitable candidate, and I believe that His Highness the Crown Prince must know this."

After hearing Barcelona's answer, Francesco pondered again for a moment, and finally nodded: "Your analysis is very reasonable. Compared with the Ottomans who are right in front of you, the big man from far away is indeed an easier target to contact."

But at this moment, a maid suddenly came hurriedly to salute and said: "Mr. Governor, madam, I heard that Mr. Basa is back. Is there any news about Miss Helen?"

"Look at me, I'm so happy. Basa, please come with me to see Bella. If she knows the news about Helen, she will definitely jump with joy!"

When Francesco heard this, he also slapped his forehead. He had just been thinking about the influence of the big man on Venice, but he forgot that his wife was still sick because of his daughter.

So Francesco pulled Barcelona quickly to a room upstairs. After opening the door and entering, he saw a fair-skinned middle-aged lady lying on the bed. Although her face was full of illness, she could still tell that When she was young, she must have been a beauty that made people fall in love with her at first sight.

Although the lady on the bed was in poor health, she still held herself up and half leaned on the bed. When she saw her husband and Basa walking in, she immediately asked excitedly: "Mr. Basa, is there any news about Helen?"

"Bella, please don't get excited. Helen does have news, and it's good news!"

Francesco stepped forward and held his wife's shoulders.

"Is it true? Helen really has news. You didn't lie to me, did you?"

After hearing this, Mrs. Bella sat up excitedly and grabbed her husband's arm tightly with both hands. Her two beautiful big eyes were full of expectation.

"Mrs. Bella, you don't have to doubt it. Not only did I bring back the news about Miss Helen, but I also met Miss Helen in person. She is living well now, and she even wrote a letter to you and the Governor."

Barcelona knew Helen's position in Mrs. Bella's heart, so he hurriedly spoke.

"Where's the letter? Where's Helen's letter, hurry! Show it to me!" Mrs. Bella was trembling with excitement after hearing this. Since her daughter was kidnapped by the Ottomans, she has received too much true and false news, so Only then would she wonder if her husband was lying to her just now.

"Here is the letter, I will read it to you!"

Francesco took out Helen's letter and was about to read it to his wife, but Madam Bella snatched it away. When she saw the familiar handwriting on the letter, Madam Bella also trembled with excitement. , and finally burst into tears: "Helen, it's Helen, she is really alive!"

Looking at his wife who was crying with joy, Francesco also had red eyes. He hugged his wife and comforted her softly, but this made Mrs. Bella cry even harder.

However, Francesco understood his wife very well. Since Helen was taken away, the couple often had insomnia all night long, worrying about their daughter's safety. Now that the news about their daughter was finally confirmed, they were so happy and excited. , which others simply cannot understand.

After a long time, Mrs. Bella finally stopped crying, but her spirits were much better, and she even felt stronger. After all, she had been suffering from a heart disease, but now that she knew the news about her daughter, her condition was mostly cured.

Only then did Mrs. Bella finally have time to read Helen's letter carefully. During this period, she, like Francesco, had either happy or sad expressions, especially when she saw the end of the letter, Helen actually married When she was an oriental prince and was pregnant, Lady Bella also showed a complicated expression. She didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

"Bella, don't worry. Barcelona has seen the burly prince with his own eyes. He is not only tall, but also handsome, and most importantly, knowledgeable. It is precisely because of this that Helen will marry him willingly. "

Barcelona knew what his wife was thinking, so he tried to persuade her again.

"Is it true? Did Helen really marry him voluntarily?"

Mrs. Bella still asked uneasily. What she was most worried about was that her daughter was being coerced and had to give in. If this was the case, she would never be able to achieve true happiness in her life.

"Mrs. Bella, there is no doubt that Miss Helen is very favored by the Han prince. Originally, the prince's wife was not allowed to meet outsiders, but Miss Helen can not only meet me, but also hold a position in the Han court, responsible for teaching some noble girls. Reading and studying, I can see that Miss Helen is very satisfied with her current life.”

Barcelona also confirmed at this time.

After hearing this, Mrs. Bella finally gave up her doubts, and then asked Barcelona again: "Did Helen say when she would come back? I miss her so much, and I really want to see her again."

After hearing his wife's question, Francesco also looked at Barcelona. He was also very concerned about this issue, but he just didn't have time to ask.

"I'm afraid it's not possible now. I need to pass through Egypt when I come back from Han Dynasty, and half of Egypt is ruled by the Ottomans. In addition, the Mediterranean is full of Ottoman warships. If Miss Helen comes back now, she might be recognized by the Ottomans. , the consequences would be disastrous, so the burly prince did not agree to let Helen come back now."

Barca immediately explained.

"So Helen can never come back?"

Mrs. Bella's face turned pale immediately after hearing this. Although she knew that her daughter was living a good life, it would still be a huge sad news for her if they could never see her again.

"That's not true. The Han Dynasty and the Ottomans rule Egypt together. They are digging a canal. As long as this canal is dug, the Han Dynasty's ships can directly enter the Mediterranean. The Ottomans do not dare to offend them. Then Miss Helen can come back. ”

Barcelona hurriedly said again.

"Yes, I have also heard about the canal in Egypt, but it is a pity that it is in the hands of the Ottomans. If it were in the hands of our Venice, it would be a shining golden waterway!"

Francesco also confirmed at this time.

"When will this canal be dug?"

Mrs. Bella finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, and then asked again.

"It may be dug in three to five years. When I came here, I passed through Egypt along this canal. I saw with my own eyes that countless slaves from the two countries were digging the canal. Many sections of the river have been dug. So madam, you only need to wait patiently for a few years before you can see Miss Helen again. By then, Miss Helen’s child will also be able to come back. Then you can just wait for the child to call you grandma!"

Barca replied with another smile.

Lady Bella was also born into a noble family in Venice. Her family had great influence in the Grand Council, and her father was a member of the Council of Ten. It can be said that Francesco can firmly hold the position of governor. It has a lot to do with the support behind Mrs. Bella's family, so Barcelona is also very willing to please each other.

"We only need to wait a few years. That's great. I must take good care of myself and wait for Helen to come back to visit me!"

When Mrs. Bella heard Basa's words, she immediately sat up straight. Her previous sick look was gone, and her whole person became a little more radiant.

(End of this chapter)